Some Temples in Tamil Nadu,India address the issue of childlessness.
The most famous in The Garbarakshabigai Temple,Thirukkarukaavoor,
Located near Kumabakonam,The Temple city(about an hour by Bus),this place can also be reached from Papanasam(near Kumbakonam.
Well connected by road;railway station is Papanasam-Tiruvarror -Myladuthurai route)
Nearest airport Tiruchi.Boarding and Lodging is not available.Stay in Kumbakonam.
The temple is closed for Darshan between 1 and 4 pm.
The presiding Deities are Mullaivana Nathar and Garbharakshambigai.
Mullaivana Nathar
The Lingam representing Mullaivana Nathar is Swayambu(It came into existence of its own)
One can see the marks of the strands of the plant around the Lingam.
The Abisheka is not performed as usual.
Punugu (Civet Oil) is used to anoint the Lord on specific days.
Garbharakshamikai is known to Bless those who pray in the Temple for be-getting a child.
Also for smooth delivery without complications.
The Procedure.
1.Visit the Temple and wash the steps leading to The Sanctum Sanctorum.
You will be given a golden idol.
Keep it in front of the Deity in a Special Swing,provided by the Temple authorities and pray for the grant of a child.
The idol is to returned.
Rs 500 is charged for this,
Once you conceive visit the temple , collect the special oil , mix it with half a kilo of Ghee and take a tea-spoon daily at home.
In case you run out of the oil.you can get it by sending Rs 225 to the temple.
Also apply the Oil around your stomach the moment you get labour pain.
This Temple has worked miracles for many a couple.
“Garbarakshambigai Temple history : Sage Nithuvar and his wife Vedhika were living in this garden of mullai flowers when the following incident happened which lead Parvathi devi to take the avatar of Garbarakshambigai to give special protection to women during pregnancy.
Thousands of years back, two Rishies ( saints ) Gowthama and Gargeya did penance in this garden of mullai flowers. The story is that, Sage Nithuvar was living here with his wife Vedhika. One day when Sage Nithuvar was away, sage Urdhvapada visited the mullai garden.. Vedhika was tired and sleeping deeply without showing hospitality to the sage..infact she was having pains due to pregnancy but Urdhvapada unaware of her difficulties got angry that she din’t bother to wake up and felt she could be sleeping purposely , decided to curse her .The curse made her get diseased and it also hurted the child in her womb.Vedhika was in worst pain of her life and deeply hurted that her own child is being gradually destroyed and prayed for to Goddess Parvathi to help her ….Goddess parvathi took the avatar of Garbarakshambigai and appeared before Vedhika and protected her child in the womb by holding it in a “kalasam ” – divine pot..The goddess has helped the child grow in the divine pot untill it grew as full fledged child. .. Scientifically people know about test tube baby, but it has happened before thousands of years in our holy country, india, where goddess herself has saved a womens pregnancy and blessed her.
When Vedhika cried as she was not able to feed the baby with her milk, A sacred cow came infront of the temple and made a lake of sacred milk. The sacred “kulam” is found even now where i fed pori for fishes when i visited the temple. Vedhikai prayed to Goddess Garbarakshambigai to remain in the temple forever and bless all women with good soul mate, child birth and safe pregnancy.”
Thiruvidamaruthur , A Saivite Kshetra, is located 8Km from Kumbakonam and about forty minutes drive from Myladuthurai.
The Temple is dedicated to Lord Mahalingam,Siva in Linga Form.
MahaLingam,Thiruvidaimaruthur.
It is one of the Panchakrosha Sthalas. The Ammbal Shrine is one of the Sakthi Bheetas. Chakkara Maha Meru is installed here.
Uma, Vinayaka Muruga, Thirumal, Lakshimi, Saraswati, (Deities), Vashista, Agasthya, Pattinathar, Badragiriyar, Romarishi, Kapila, Markandiya rishi, (Saints). Sivavakiya (Siddhar) Varagunadeva, Sukeerthi, Veerasena, Chitrakeerthi, Uvanasuvan, Maandada, Vasuman., Anjatthuvasan (Kings), Nandagan (Brahmin), Vedas, Airawatha (Elephant vehicle of Indra) and others are bestowed with grace by the Lord.
The saints Appar, Sundarar, Manikkavasakar and Sambandar visited and sung in praise of the lord.
Pattinathar and Karuvoor Thevar Sung Psalms about the Deity.
Usually, a temple will have a Linga in the sanctum and Parivara Devatas in the temple around. It is a peculiar feature in this temple that theParivara Devatas are at the following places.
Murti(Deity)
Place
Vinayaka
Thiruvalanchuzhi
Muruga
Swamimalai
Nataraja
Chidambaram
Surya(Navagraha)
Aduthurai
Dakshinamurti
Alangudi
Bairavar
Sirkazhi
Nandi
Thiruvavaduthurai
Somaskantha
Thiruvarur
Chandeeswara
Thiruvoypadi
The Sthala Vruksha is Marutham.
There are 3 temples having Maruda tree (anjanam) as their Sthala vrutshas. They are:
This place is named as Idaimarudur as it is in between Srisailam and Ambasamudram. It is also called Shanbagaranya, Saktipura, Tapovana, Muktipura etc.
The presiding Deity is Mahalinga (Great Linga) because Siva worshipped Himself. Her consort is Perunalamamulaiammai. She is Bruhatsundara Gujamabika. In her Shrine is a cell facing north. This is the temple of Mookaambika (in North Indian style). The Goddess is in the pose of doing penance. She is mentioned as Pidari Parameeswari in inscripitions. There are many Lingas in the Shrine. Agasthiya Linga, Kasyapa Linga, Chola Linga , Chera Linga, Sahasara Linga, Panchabhuta Linga, a cluster of 27 Lingas behind Chokkanatha are some.
Brahmahathi (Hathi- sin caused by a murder – Brahminicide) is found in the south wall (south torana vayil) with head disheveled and face immersed betwixt the knees. Varaguna Pandiya’s horse accidentally crushed a Brahmin and killed him. The sin followed wherever he went. The king came to this temple. The Brahmahathi could not enter and waited outside. The king went out by another entrance. The Brahmahathi is waiting outside still. The king was relieved of his melody. People inflicted with mental disorders go round the circumambulatory path and get redress.
There are two Puranam
Brahmahathi
Sthala purana written by Sivakkolundu Deshika of Kottaiyar
Marudavana Puranam.
There is an Ula written by Mahavidvan Meenakshi Sundaram Pillai. The Thevaram, Thiruvasagam, Thiruvidaimarudur Mummanikkovai, Thiruppazh, Thiruvidaimaurudur Pathirruppathanthathi, Thiruvidaimaurudur Kalambakam, Thiruvidaimarudur Nondi Natakam contain sufficient information about the temple. Kandapuranam, Lingapurana, Brahmavaivartham and Sivarahasya mention the glory of the Lord.
Pandiyan King, Varaguna, who, according to tradition, lived in the seventh century A.D. Once he went for hunting in a nearby forest and when he started back home, dusk had already fallen. The horse, fatiqued by the hunt, was anxious to get back to the stables,and literally flew over the path. Meanwhile an aged Brahmin, also travelling through the forest, had called it a day and was lying fast asleep under the shelter of a large tree. Unfortunately the path which the King’s horse took was led over the very place where the old man lay sleeping. The hooves of the horse crushed his chest, and he perished on the spot. So fast was horse that the King had no inkling of this terrible calamity. Only when the soldiers following him saw the dead Brahmin and informed him, did the King come to know of the tragedy. He lost no time in observing the penances and sacrifices ordained in the sastras for absolution from this sin; but the damage was done Brahmahathi (spirit of the dead Brahmana) clung to him all the more tightly. In despire, the King sought the help of Lord Sundaresvara of Madurai.
Such was the sincerity and devotion this grief-stricken King that one day as he was circumambulating the shrine, he heard a divine voice command: “Do not despair O King ! A Chola king will invade your Kingdom soon. Fight him and he will be defeated. As he flees back to his country, chase him without harming him. He will lead you to Thiruvidai-marudoor where Lord Shiva Himself worshipped His own image. There the sin which is clinging to you now will leave you”.
I may mention that the Abhijt Muhurtha is normally between 12 and 1230 pm and it is not necessary to look for an auspicious time for performance of auspicious events.
Each Nakshatra has a Lingam assigned to it.It is recommended that archana with Vilvam for the respective Lingam associated with the specific Nakshatra is performed.
In the Prharam, there is a small sannidhi dedicated to Lord Krishna(as a Crawling child) as revealed to Sage Kashyapa along with Lord Siva
Boarding or Lodging facilities are not upto the mark.
Suggest staying in Kumbakonam or Myladuthurai.
Nearest Airport is Tiruchi.
Though well connected by Trains, it is preferable to use Bus as the service is excellent and the frequency of Buses is admirable.
Related.
Abhijit Muhurtha.
According to Vedic astrology there is a special muhurat called abhijit. This muhurat is auspicious for any work. Abhijit muhurtha is not special to any particular condition but it is present every day. Astrologers say that a day’s 8th muhurat is called abhijit muhurat.
The duration of the abhijit muhurat lingers up to 48 minutes. 24 minutes before and after the sidereal time is called the abhijit muhurat. Basically it stays up to 48 minutes but the duration may reduce if the day is shorter. As the abhijit muhurat is auspicious people opt for this muhurat to perform their work. Abhijit muhurat safeguards a work even if the day is inauspicious.
Astrologers say that if in any condition an auspicious work does not have a good muhurat then natives can perform their works on the auspicious abhijit muhurat.
About six months back my wife’s sister’s husband told me that he did not believe that Lord Krishna did not deliver the Discourse of Srimad Bhagavad Gita.
His argument was that, in the midst of a war, no body would have noted what Krishna spoke, that too,six hundred Couplets.
Quite ingenious.
In the same vein, my son once told me that the tamil Classics ,especially Thevaram,Thiruvaasakam,Naalaayira Divya Prabhandam could not have been written by those to whom they are attributed to for no body would have taken notes when these Saints were composing these works.
My reply , especially on Srimad Bhagavad Gita, has been explained in,my blog, filed under Indian Philosophy,Hinduism,Bhakti.
To day I happened to watch a Film,’Anonymous’ on SonyPix.
It was set against the background of Queen Elizabeth(Middle ages) and The theory that Edward de Vere, 17th Earl of Oxford. wrote The plays of Shakespeare.
The convergence of documentary evidence of the type used by academics for authorial attribution—title pages, testimony by other contemporary poets and historians, and official records—sufficiently establishes Shakespeare’s authorship for the overwhelming majority of Shakespeare scholars and literary historians,[6] and no evidence links Oxford to Shakespeare’s works.[7] Oxfordians, (as those who subscribe to the theory are usually called), however, reject the historical record, often proposing the conspiracy theory that it was falsified to protect the identity of the real author and invoking the dearth of evidence for any conspiracy as evidence of its success.[8] Some Oxfordians believe that Shakespeare acted as a “front man,” receiving the plays from Oxford and pretending to have written them, but others claim that he was simply a merchant from Stratford who had nothing to do with the theatre.
“During the childhood of the Acharya, his father consulted an astrologer who, upon studying the boy’s horoscope, is said to have been so stunned that he prostrated himself before the boy exclaiming that “One day the whole world will fall at his feet”.In 1906, the 66th Acharya of Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham performed the annual Chaturmasyam (a forty-day annual ritual performed by Hindu ascetics while remaining in one place), in a village near Tindivanam in Tamil Nadu. This was Swaminathan’s first exposure to the Math and its Acharya. Later, Swaminathan accompanied his father whenever he visited the Math where the Acharya was deeply impressed by the young boy.
In the first week of February 1907, the Kanchi Kamakoti Math had informed Subramanya Sastrigal that Swaminathan’s first cousin (son of his mother’s sister) was to be installed as the 67th Peetathipathi. The presiding Acharya was then suffering from smallpox and had the premonition that he might not live long. He had, therefore, administered upadesa to his disciple Lakshminathan before he died. Sastrigal being away in Trichinopoly on duty arranged for the departure of Swaminathan with his mother to Kanchipuram. The boy and his mother started for Kalavai (where Lakshminathan was camping) to console his aunt who, while also being a widow, had just given up her only son to be an ascetic. They traveled by train to Kanchipuram and halted at the Sankara Math. By then, Lakshminathan had fallen ill:
I had a bath at the Kumara Koshta Tirtha. A carriage of the Math had come there from Kalavai with the people to buy articles for the Maha Puja on the tenth day of the passing of the previous 66th Acharya. One of them, a hereditary maistry (mason) of the Math, asked me to accompany him. A separate cart was engaged for the rest of the family to follow me. During the journey the maistry hinted to me that I might not return home and that the rest of my life might be spent in the Math itself. At first I thought that my elder cousin having become the Head of the Math, it was his wish that I should live with him. But the maistry gradually clarified matters as the cart rolled on. The acharya had fever which developed into delirium and that was why I was being separated from the family to be taken to Kalavai… I was stunned by this unexpected turn of events. I lay in a kneeling posture in the cart, shocked as I was, repeating “Rama… Rama,” the only prayer I knew. My mother and other children came some time later only to find that instead of her mission of consoling her sister, she herself was placed in the state of having to be consoled
Recently I had been to some temples in Tamil Nadu.
Though I have visited these Temples many times, I thought I would Post a Note on the essentials of these Temples.
( Whenever I feel like-which is about once in two or Three months-seeing Goddess Abirami of Thirukkadavur, I visit some other Temples as well.
These include, VaitheeswaranKoil,Tirunallar,Myladuthurai,Tiruvaarur,Thirukkarukavoor,Tirumeeyachchour,Poonthottam, Uppiliyappan Koil,Swamimalai,Patteswaram,Tiruchi,Sri Rangam,Kumbakonam and Thirvaanaikkaval.There is no specific vow, but simply an urge to see the Goddess Abirami.
Chevvai
This time I covered, apart from Tirukkadavur(it is not Thirukkadayur),Tirunallar,Thirukkarukaavur,Thiruvaaroor,Thiruvidai Maruthoor, Vaitheeswaran Koil and Myladuthurai.
I park myself at Myladuthurai and cover these temples.
I find this arrangement convenient,though it is ideal to be at Kumbakonam.
But Myladuthurai is better in terms of better accessibility and better accommodation budget wise).Kumbakonam is 35 minutes away-Rs 11 by bus ,about half a Dollar to and Fro.
You have buses every 10 -15 minutes from Myladuthurai and it takes about 25 minutes one way.
The Temple is closed between 1 and 4 pm.
This Temple is worshipped for relief from Disease,s of the Skin especially.
And for relief from Angaraka Dosha,-Mars’s Malevolence.
It is believed one’s Marriage is delayed if Mars is in 4, 7, 8 11 and 12.(there are some divided opinions on this).
Angaraka has a Sannidhi or special enclosure in this temple.
The procedure of worship in the Temple is to wash one’s feet and hands in the Temple tank.
Every temple has its own its Tank, Tree,(Place of The Temple _Stlaam,Therrththam and Vruksham)-Vembu or Neem tree.
“Chevvai or Angarakan is present in two forms – Utsavar (the idol that is taken out in procession during festivals) is near the Vaithyanathaswamy sannidhi (shrine) and the moolavar (the idol that is placed permanently in a place) is in the Eastern side of the outer praharam (circumambulatory path). The Utsava Murthy, mounted on a goat, is taken out in a procession inside the temple premises every Tuesday. There is a small shrine to Lord Dhanvantari in the praharam (circumambulatory path) around Vaitheeswaran’s Sannidhi (Sanctum sanctorum).”
When Lord Siva was separated from Goddess Parvati, three drops of Tears dropped from his eyes and as these tears were very hot ,they were transformed into Angaraka.
Another is that once these tears fell into the ground,Goddess of Earth, Sri Bhoo Devi brought these tears as a being and brought him up.
He was red in colour.Note that the colour of Mar’s Terrain is Red.
This legend seems to be more appropriate for we have Angarka Gayathri -Dhrani Garba Sampoodam Vidyut kanti Samaprabham,Kumaram Sakthi hatham ThamMangalam Pranayamyakham,
Another Gaythri is -AUM Angarkaya vidmahe, bhoomibalaya dhimahi, thanno kujah prachodayath.
The Ruling Deity of Angaraka is Lord Subramanya, who is worshipped as Muthukkuamara Swamy here.
The idol is exquisite to look at.
The third legend is that the Tears from Lord Siva’s tears transformed into Angaraka.
The bathe in the Temple tank is believed to cure diseases.
One can also drop a mixture of Salt and pepper near the temple where an enclosure for the purpose is provided.
People can take this as a vow to be cured of illness..
Next to worship is Lord Vaitheeswaran(Lord of Doctors).
In Ayynagar Sampradayam,Sree Veera ragahva Swamy of Tiruvallur Temple (near Chennai), is the equivalent of Vaitheeswaran Temple.
Here also a pinch of earth is given as medicine.
Then worship of Goddess who is called ‘Thayyal Nayaki, again a beautiful image of the Goddess.
Then one can perform the Pooja for Angaraka.
The Abhishekam costs Rs 300.
One can also offer Red Cloth.
Those who want to appease Angaraka/Kuja/Chevvai/Mangalan may fast on Tuesdays, observe krithikai Vratham and pray Lord Subramanya.
The town is also known for Nadi system of Astrology, where one’s past,present and future including past Lives are disclosed.
One has to be wary of fraudsters on this.
It is recommended to worship on an empty stomach.
Note; Jatayu was cremated by Lord Rama here and the place where he was cremated is marked in the Temple.
Please read my blog ‘Route taken by Lord Rama.’
Related;
Chevvai Dosham;
Selava Muthukkumara Swamy,Vaitheeeswaran Koil.
The well known Manglik, Kuja Dosham or what they call as Chevvai Dosham.
Mars, is identified as the Ruling planet of earth and known as Bhoomi Karaka. It is denoted with brothers, Fire, Accidents, cuts, wounds, injuries, rudeness, anger, short temper, lethal weapon and War. It is also a most feared planet in general and marriage alliance seekers in particular.
People in India are too scared about the planet Mars known as Kuja or Mangal. If this Planet is placed in the 2nd, 4th, 7th or 8th houses from one’s ascendant or from the Moon sign in their horoscope/Natal Chart, then it is really difficult for them to find a suitable match and get married. It is a very foolish idea that marriages in India are delayed only on this count. I know a number of persons affected by branding them as “manglik” They fear that if a person is married to a non manglik either one of them will die soon. The fear of reduced longevity for one of the coupled makes everyone to think twice before the wed lock.
As many astrologers profess this as a major cause or set back for one’s marriage, many of the match making efforts are tactically rejected showing only on this count. No doubt, the planetary influences are to the maximum extent causing some imbalances in everybody’s life, it certainly cannot be taken as granted to reject an alliance only on the ground that the person is “manglik”.
My father, Late Shri Mukkur Ramabathrachariyar, has once clearly explained to me that a number of matches can be found and suitable alliances can be arranged, if a proper study of the horoscope is undertaken. For example, majority of the people who fall under Positive Blood group are having the planet Mars in their1-2-4-7-8 or 12th houses. However, there are exceptions given based on the placement of Mars occupying or in conjunction with some beneficial planets. If these valuable points are ignored, then really one misses his/her suitable alliance and wrongfully confined and coupled with other non matching ones.”
“Devotees take a holy dip in the temple tank before worshipping Vaitheeswaran in the temple. It is also a local belief that dissolving jaggery (Tamil:vellam) in the waters cures skin diseases.[6]Tonsure ceremony of getting children shaved for the first time to promote proper growth is a very common practise.[4]Mavilaku ma (litting lamp in rice cakes) is a form of worship practised. The practise of jamming salt and pepper in front of the temple mast and the pot near the temple tank is also followed. Unlike other temples in South India, where each shrine has a priest, each priest in the temple associates themselves with the devotees and perform worship on their behalf.[7] The holy soil rounded with ash (called Thiruchandu Urundai) is treated as medicine and believed to cure all the diseases.[8] Another medicine given is chandan (sandalwood powder) with saffron. Devotees also donate carved silver plated body organs in the Hundi (vessel for offering) to cure the diseases.
Festivals
Eastern gateway with ‘Adi’ shrines and temple tree
Brahmotsavam (annual festival) is celebrated during the Tamil calendar months of Pankuni and Thai (January–February). Karthigai festival during November is also celebrated with pomp and glory. Kantha Sashti, a festive occasion for Subramanya, is celebrated in the shrine of Muthukumaraswamy.”
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